When it comes to buying power, women are steadily overcoming men. Throughout the next decade, women will control two-thirds of consumer wealth in the United States and will be the beneficiaries of the largest transference of wealth in our country's history, according to Fleishman-Hillard Inc.

"The stats on a woman's earning and buying power are pretty extensive; females are doing better in school than men, we're earning more money than ever before and the business world has known about this trend for years," says Erica L. McCain, a veteran financial expert, LUTCF and founder of McCain & Associates, (www.mccainins.com).

"As women, we're inundated by advertisements. The first thing many of us do in the morning is check our e-mail and social media. Before a wake-up shower we may be hit with appeals from Macy's, Bath and Body Works, Groupon and assorted retailers to 'click for 50 percent off.' "

Of course, these aren't "deals" so much as advertising campaigns, she says. In fact, there are plenty of women who spend good money on things - whether on themselves or their children - that are relatively frivolous, "I know because I was one of them," says McCain, author of "Ladies With Loot."

"With more money comes the inclination to spend it but, to be sure, you'll need that resource for something more important down the road."

McCain shares the ways in which women can better help themselves, and their children, by better utilizing money.

•  "Retail therapy" doesn't work; think of money as a precious resource. Money can buy you happiness. We all know that feeling of wanting an item that will make you feel good for a few hours, but sooner rather than later, most of these retail goods quickly amount to stuff. Lasting happiness goes far beyond "retail therapy." Money facilitates happiness better by being an available resource for more important things, such as emergencies, tuition for children, peace of mind for retirement or a family vacation that everyone will remember.

•  You can't cash in your children's toys to pay for college. Buying nice and fun things for our kids is enjoyable; we can feel their joy and we like when they're happy. However, just like buying something that you enjoy - a new purse or shoes - that joy is fleeting, and in the long term, it's worth questioning the value of an item. The cost of a professional baseball bat exceeds $100, and for a professional glove you can pay up to $500, but these aren't the things that will make your child truly enjoy baseball. Imagine how that money will be needed to pay for textbooks in college!

•  Counting calories? - Try counting dollars. We know what it's like to want a tasty muffin for breakfast, but many of us refuse such treats with the realization of what it'll take to burn off the excess calories. We know that a moment of pleasure equals extra time on the treadmill. Apply that shrewd approach to money. How many hours do you work in order to pay for extravagant purchases, and could that money be better used elsewhere? Understanding the value of a dollar will help you live a more fulfilled life.

About Erica L. McCain, LUTCF

Erica L. McCain is a financial professional with a Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow (LUTCF) designation and more than 15 years of experience. She founded her own firm, McCain & Associates, (www.mccainins.com), in 2007, intent upon providing the detailed, personalized services retirees and pre-retirees need to pursue their retirement goals. She specializes in the financials for women in all stages of their lives and careers. McCain is a member of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), the premier association of financial professionals.

LEXINGTON, Ky.--Although the economic collapse that was the Great Recession may be over, state leaders know it's not all blue skies ahead for the economy.

Jennifer Burnett, program manager for fiscal and economic policy at The Council of State Governments, said while the economy is steadily gaining jobs, wages are not increasing.

"The recovery has really reached a turning point, and state leaders are starting to think about the future, instead of just digging out of a hole," Burnett said. "They are going to be looking for ways to not just create one more job and bring the unemployment rate down one more point, but how to create high-paying jobs--jobs that have a future."

According to the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the average annual wage for jobs lost in the recession was $61,637, but the average wage for the jobs added through the second quarter of 2014 was just $47,171. Increasing wages, not just the number of jobs, will be the top fiscal issue on state policymakers' minds this legislative session, Burnett said.

"So far, the recovery has seen a lot of job growth in low-income sectors while jobs in higher paying sectors that really propel the economy forward have been more elusive," she said. "Now that the crisis is over, it is time to start looking at quality instead of just quantity when it comes to job growth."

The Council of State Governments this week released its annual listing of top 5 issues legislators will face this year in education, energy and the environment, federal affairs, fiscal and economic development, health, international affairs, interstate compacts, transportation and workforce development.

Burnett said other issues facing legislators this year include preparing for the next fiscal crisis, dealing with a likely decrease in federal funding coming to the states, paying for Medicaid costs, and covering public pensions and retiree health care costs.

Even though the economy is in much better shape than it was five years ago, states still have some serious issues to address, Burnett said.

People with type 2 diabetes are at increased risk of many serious health problems, including heart attack, stroke, vision loss, and amputation. But by keeping your diabetes in check ? that means maintaining good blood sugar control ? and knowing how to recognize a problem and what to do about it should one occur, you can prevent many of these complications of diabetes.

Heart Attack

Heart disease and stroke are the top causes of death and disability in people with diabetes. If you experience any of the following heart attack warning signs, call 911 immediately:

• Chest discomfort that feels like pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of your chest, lasting for a short time or going away and returning
• Pain elsewhere, including the back, jaw, stomach, or neck; or pain in one or both arms
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea or lightheadedness

Heart attack symptoms may appear suddenly or be subtle, with only mild pain and discomfort.

Stroke

Stroke warning signs may include :

• Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially if it occurs on one side of the body
• Feeling confused
• Difficulty walking and talking and lacking coordination
• Developing a severe headache for no apparent reason

If you suddenly experience any of these stroke symptoms, call 911 immediately. As with a heart attack, immediate treatment can be the difference between life and death.

Nerve Damage

People with diabetes are at increased risk of nerve damage, or diabetic neuropathy, due to uncontrolled high blood sugar. As a result, various foot and skin problems can occur, including:

• Foot problems. Nerve damage associated with type 2 diabetes can cause a loss of feeling in your feet, which makes you more vulnerable to injury and infection. You may get a blister or cut on your foot that you don't feel and, unless you check your feet regularly, an infection can develop. Untreated infections can result in gangrene (death of tissue) and ultimately amputation of the affected limb.
• Skin problems. Diabetes can make it more difficult for your body to fight infections, causing skin problems. Various skin conditions are linked to diabetes, and even minor cuts or sores can turn serious fast. Any bumps, cuts, or scrapes should be cleaned and treated with an antibiotic cream and monitored carefully.

If you notice any of the following symptoms, see your doctor:

• Inflammation and tenderness anywhere on your body
• Red, itchy rash surrounded by small blisters or scales
• Cuts, sores, or blisters on your feet that are slow to heal and are not as painful as you would expect
• Numbness, tingling, or burning sensations in your hands or feet, including your fingers and toes
• Sharp pain that gets worse at night
• Muscle weakness that makes walking difficult
• Bladder infections and problems with bladder control
• Bloating, stomach pain, constipation, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Erectile dysfunction in men and vaginal dryness in women

Kidney Disease

Type 2 diabetes increases your risk of kidney disease, or diabetic nephropathy, a condition in which the blood vessels in your kidneys are damaged to the point that they cannot filter out waste properly. If left untreated, dialysis (a treatment to filter out waste products from the blood) and ultimately a kidney transplant may be needed.

Typically, you won't notice symptoms of kidney disease until it has advanced. However, if you experience any of the following symptoms, tell your doctor:

• Swelling in your ankles and legs
• Leg cramps
• A need to go to the bathroom more often at night
• A reduction in your need for insulin
• Nausea and vomiting
• Weakness and paleness
• Itching

The best way to prevent type 2 diabetes-related kidney problems is to have your urine, blood, and blood pressure monitored regularly and to keep your blood sugar and blood pressure under control.

Eye Problems

People with type 2 diabetes are at risk of several eye conditions, including diabetic retinopathy (which affects the blood vessels in the eye), glaucoma, and cataracts. If left untreated, these conditions can cause vision loss.

Call your doctor if you notice any of these warning signs:

• Blurry vision that lasts for more than two days
• Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes
• Floaters, black or gray spots, cobwebs, or strings that move when you move your eyes
• A sensation of seeing "flashing lights"
• Pain or pressure in one or both eyes

Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemia means you have too much sugar in your blood. High blood sugar doesn't always produce symptoms; therefore, it is important to check your blood sugar regularly, as indicated by your doctor. When symptoms of hyperglycemia occur, they may include :

• Frequent urination
• Extreme thirst
• Feeling tired and weak
• Blurry vision
• Feeling hungry even after eating

If you frequently have high blood sugar, tell your doctor. He or she may need to make changes to your medication and suggest diet and lifestyle modifications to help you gain and maintain better blood sugar control.

The key to preventing many of the complications of diabetes is to keep your blood sugar at a healthy level. To do this, eat right, exercise, monitor your blood sugar as recommended by your doctor, and don't smoke.

Report any unusual symptoms to your doctor. Together you can work to prevent these diabetes-related health complications.